After two years of violence, Syrian conflict needs resolution – UN Humanitarian Chief in Turkey

(Ankara/New York, 14 March 2013): United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos called on the international community to do more to end the crisis in Syria, at the end of a two-day visit to Turkey today.

Commenting on her visit to Kilis Province in the Southeast of the country, Ms. Amos said: “I met families who fled their homes more than 18 months ago. They are in despair. They feel abandoned by the international community. They all want the same thing: the conflict to end so that they can go home.”

Ms. Amos praised the Turkish people and the Government for their generosity in hosting 186,000 registered refugees from Syria in camps, and tens of thousands who have not been registered yet. She commended the work of national and international organizations in supporting the refugees sheltering in camps, and those living with host communities in towns and cities, and urged the international community to do more.

Speaking after meetings with Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay and the President of Turkey’s Disaster Management Directorate (AFAD), Dr. Fuad Oktay, and signing a Plan of Action with AFAD, Ms. Amos said: “Turkey has become a key partner in regional and international aid efforts, sending crisis response teams, mobilizing funding and engaging in efforts to improve the humanitarian response system.”

“This agreement will enable us to deepen and strengthen that partnership,” noted Ms. Amos.